Screwdriver

MeleeToolTiers I–IV

A landmine spawns every 12/9/6/3 seconds dealing 10 (+100% Engineering) damage in an area

Unlock: Available from the start
Starting weapon for: 21 characters

Community builds that use it

ArtificerExplosion build: start Shredder and move to Rocket, Grenade or Nuclear Launchers, or use Planks; stack Explosion Size and Elemental Damage, which also enlarges explosions. Wrench and Screwdriver became viable after Tool weapons got +100% damage in 1.1.0.0.
BabyNo level-up stats, so all stats come from the shop; Sticks are the standard choice because base damage grows with each Stick held, and survivability needs Armor, Dodge and Max HP. XP Gain items and a broad mixed melee loadout are alternatives.
CyborgKeep the Minigun, add guns that scale with Ranged Damage and Engineering weapons (Wrench or Plank), and put upgrades into Ranged Damage rather than Engineering, since Ranged Damage converts to Engineering mid-wave.
DroidEngineering turret build on Wrench and Screwdriver with Mecha evolution; stacks Engineering, Dodge and Armor.
EngineerSix Wrenches (or Screwdrivers) and every turret item, putting level-ups into Engineering, Armor and HP Regeneration rather than weapon damage.
ExplorerEngineering avoids the -40% Damage penalty, with Pocket Factory the key item; Cacti Club spines also cut down the extra trees. Shredder explosion builds and Sticks are other recommended starts.
Mad ScientistTurret build on Wrench and Screwdriver that also uses Evolution items; stacks Engineering, Dodge and Attack Speed.
OldThe small map favours Engineering: Wrench turrets and Landmines stay on screen, so stack Engineering and defensive stats. Double Barrel Shotguns are the gun alternative because enemies bunch up; guides also report Taser/Wand elemental builds.

Stats by tier

Tier I Common
Damage
8 (+50% Melee Damage, +50% Engineering)
Cooldown
1.06s
Crit
x2 (10% chance)
Range
135
Tier II Uncommon
Damage
12 (+50% Melee Damage, +60% Engineering)
Cooldown
1.01s
Crit
x2.15 (15% chance)
Range
135
Tier III Rare
Damage
16 (+50% Melee Damage, +70% Engineering)
Cooldown
0.98s
Crit
x2.3 (20% chance)
Range
135
Tier IV Legendary
Damage
20 (+50% Melee Damage, +80% Engineering)
Cooldown
0.88s
Crit
x2.5 (30% chance)
Range
135

Damage in brackets is added from your stats before %Damage multiplies the total; see the damage formula or the calculator.

DPS at tier IV

33 DPS with no stats, 59.3 at 20 Engineering and 98.9 at 50 (single target, every projectile hits, crits averaged): #9 of 10 weapons that scale with Engineering. Full ranking or your own stats.